Comments for Sharparoon Blog http://sharparoon.com/blog A place for Sharparoon Spirits (Sharpirits) to communicate. Welcome to the site. Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:44:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.1 Comment on Guest Comment Page, 2009 by H. Davis http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24227 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:48:56 +0000 http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24227 Thanks to the webmaster for this website. How can I contribute to its maintenance? Thanks to the webmaster for this website. How can I contribute to its maintenance?

]]> Comment on Guest Comment Page, 2009 by H. Davis http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24226 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:47:08 +0000 http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24226 I am very sad and a little angry at NYCMS for the demise of our beloved Camp Sharparoon. It was there that I had the first inkling of a call to ministry. I was ordained in 1963 in the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and now retired in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) I believe it was 1954 when I served at Sharparoon in maintenance with Hans Bockelman. My picture with the KBs was in that capacity. Patty gave me that job on the basis of my studies at Brooklyn Tech from which I graduated in 1954. From Tech I went on to Northeastern University for a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1959. The Co-op program enabled me to graduate with $1000 in the bank and no school debts! My engineering work was at Grumman Aircraft in Bethpage and at GE in Utica. For more, please get in touch with me. I'd LOVE to hear from you! I am very sad and a little angry at NYCMS for the demise of our beloved Camp Sharparoon. It was there that I had the first inkling of a call to ministry. I was ordained in 1963 in the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and now retired in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

I believe it was 1954 when I served at Sharparoon in maintenance with Hans Bockelman. My picture with the KBs was in that capacity. Patty gave me that job on the basis of my studies at Brooklyn Tech from which I graduated in 1954.
From Tech I went on to Northeastern University for a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1959. The Co-op program enabled me to graduate with $1000 in the bank and no school debts! My engineering work was at Grumman Aircraft in Bethpage and at GE in Utica.
For more, please get in touch with me. I’d LOVE to hear from you!

]]> Comment on Guest Comment Page, 2009 by H. Davis "Binky" Haw http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24225 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:33:57 +0000 http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24225 I'm trying to remember who was in the first CIT class in 1953(?) The counselor was Roland "Rock" Reed. He was also called "Over" that year, in contrast with Hobie Birch who was called "Under". The boys (as best I can remember) were Warren ? He had red hair. Ed? He was tall and had a bat perch on him in the middle of the night. Frank Sidoti Tommy Lumpkin Mike Rivera David Wiseman Me, Binky Of the girls, I remember Greta Thelwell was the counselor. The only names I can remember of the girls are Sue and Myrna Manzo and Betsy Zchau. Can anyone corroborate or correct my memory? I'd like to hear from any of you. I’m trying to remember who was in the first CIT class in 1953(?) The counselor was Roland “Rock” Reed. He was also called “Over” that year, in contrast with Hobie Birch who was called “Under”.
The boys (as best I can remember) were
Warren ? He had red hair.
Ed? He was tall and had a bat perch on him in the middle of the night.
Frank Sidoti
Tommy Lumpkin
Mike Rivera
David Wiseman
Me, Binky

Of the girls, I remember Greta Thelwell was the counselor. The only names I can remember of the girls are Sue and Myrna Manzo and Betsy Zchau.

Can anyone corroborate or correct my memory? I’d like to hear from any of you.

]]> Comment on Guest Comment Page, 2009 by Victor Gonzalez http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24223 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 01:59:33 +0000 http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24223 I received an email from Joni Zaccara Park on her recent visit to what was until recently Camp Sharparoon. "I drove up the pine road yesterday, impressed with the way it looked.....for so many years the property we knew had been "let go" and ravaged by people who cared little about its beauty. The pine road had been "forested" years back and while there are still some of the old pine, most of the road is forested in a variety of trees. The road itself, as I wandered up, was level and obviously maintained. When I got to the parking lot (the place I first met Ivan at midnight 59 years ago) I was surprised...the tennis courts have been removed and the Tapawingo Lodge...a relic of Minisink days...was completely renovated. It has six rentable suites, a beautiful view of the lake and is available for use....they have a restaurant there as well...though not open all the time. Up until that point Camp was looking good....I got to the top of the hill and the Ad building on the left had obviously been totally restored and painted....it now houses guns, bullets, stuffed animals and all the stuff needed for a Gun Club...there were Golf carts parked outside and shot gun noises continually.....Hayden Hall has been restored, the playlodge porch and dinning hall are gone...the grounds are very well kept and look wonderful and while it is not camp anymore, and the gunshot noises are intrusive, it is at least not developed into a housing complex, and someone cares about it. I drove down the Gambera Road (do you think anyone knows that is the name of it?)..they named the pine road Dover Furnace Road and that is still full of pot holes and memories...green acres has had little done to it, though it is more maintained that it had been by City Mission.....Plans are to revitalize it as a conference center....the Zaccara name still sits above the door to the Chapel. I drove away and thought it was good to know it is still in tact...in fact they have added more property to it south of green acres...we are lucky to have it in our hearts and while I think City Mission is no longer the charity of my choice at least the place in Dover Plains remains open space and has a caring owner. Thought you would like to know!!!! Joni" Joni also sent me a link to the website for the Dover Furnace Shooting Club that now occupies the the camp grounds. http://doverfurnace.com/ It is nice to know that the grounds are not being desecrated nor allowed to continue in the downward spiral that existed during the last years of the City Mission's ownership. Victor I received an email from Joni Zaccara Park on her recent visit to what was until recently Camp Sharparoon.

“I drove up the pine road yesterday, impressed with the way it looked…..for so many years the property we knew had been “let go” and ravaged by people who cared little about its beauty. The pine road had been “forested” years back and while there are still some of the old pine, most of the road is forested in a variety of trees. The road itself, as I wandered up, was level and obviously maintained. When I got to the parking lot (the place I first met Ivan at midnight 59 years ago) I was surprised…the tennis courts have been removed and the Tapawingo Lodge…a relic of Minisink days…was completely renovated. It has six rentable suites, a beautiful view of the lake and is available for use….they have a restaurant there as well…though not open all the time.
Up until that point Camp was looking good….I got to the top of the hill and the Ad building on the left had obviously been totally restored and painted….it now houses guns, bullets, stuffed animals and all the stuff needed for a Gun Club…there were Golf carts parked outside and shot gun noises continually…..Hayden Hall has been restored, the playlodge porch and dinning hall are gone…the grounds are very well kept and look wonderful and while it is not camp anymore, and the gunshot noises are intrusive, it is at least not developed into a housing complex, and someone cares about it.

I drove down the Gambera Road (do you think anyone knows that is the name of it?)..they named the pine road Dover Furnace Road and that is still full of pot holes and memories…green acres has had little done to it, though it is more maintained that it had been by City Mission…..Plans are to revitalize it as a conference center….the Zaccara name still sits above the door to the Chapel.

I drove away and thought it was good to know it is still in tact…in fact they have added more property to it south of green acres…we are lucky to have it in our hearts and while I think City Mission is no longer the charity of my choice at least the place in Dover Plains remains open space and has a caring owner.

Thought you would like to know!!!!
Joni”

Joni also sent me a link to the website for the Dover Furnace Shooting Club that now occupies the the camp grounds. http://doverfurnace.com/

It is nice to know that the grounds are not being desecrated nor allowed to continue in the downward spiral that existed during the last years of the City Mission’s ownership. Victor

]]> Comment on Guest Comment Page, 2009 by David Ruiz http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24222 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 23:26:46 +0000 http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24222 just wanted to say that this web-site brought tears to my eyes....i grew up in Sharparoon...I was a Scatercook(?) Birchaman and Iriquois ....i'm sure i spelled all those names wrong....i think i was there around 1957/58....i went for many summer...my neighbor in the Bronx was a pasture for the Good Neighbor Church....i believe i was the only Catholic at camp....the pasture at camp would use me in his sermons....my most beautiful childhood memories are at that camp....who remembers the camp cheer ? The Pond looked like this huge ocean to me then.....looks so small now...i learned how to row a boat and take my clothes off in the water to become a boatman...i loved and still love this place...this wonderful wonderful place... just wanted to say that this web-site brought tears to my eyes….i grew up in Sharparoon…I was a Scatercook(?) Birchaman and Iriquois ….i’m sure i spelled all those names wrong….i think i was there around 1957/58….i went for many summer…my neighbor in the Bronx was a pasture for the Good Neighbor Church….i believe i was the only Catholic at camp….the pasture at camp would use me in his sermons….my most beautiful childhood memories are at that camp….who remembers the camp cheer ? The Pond looked like this huge ocean to me then…..looks so small now…i learned how to row a boat and take my clothes off in the water to become a boatman…i loved and still love this place…this wonderful wonderful place…

]]> Comment on Guest Comment Page, 2009 by Helmut Holzhacker http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24213 Tue, 25 May 2010 00:00:08 +0000 http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24213 Hi, My older sister, Ella, was a counselor at Camp Sharparoon from 1960(?)to 1965. I remember visiting the camp and the name stuck in my head. I scanned the photos of the "counselors and camp staff." Photo #40 of 44 is Ella Holzhacker, looking at the camera while the campers are cleaning out the cabin. Hi,

My older sister, Ella, was a counselor at Camp Sharparoon from 1960(?)to 1965. I remember visiting the camp and the name stuck in my head. I scanned the photos of the “counselors and camp staff.” Photo #40 of 44 is Ella Holzhacker, looking at the camera while the campers are cleaning out the cabin.

]]> Comment on Guest Comment Page, 2009 by Victor Gonzalez http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24193 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:18:48 +0000 http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24193 Today I received an email from Abe Lind inviting everyone to attend the 40th Anniversary Concert of the Boricua College Chorus at 8:00 PM on Saturday March 20, 2010 at the Broadway Presbyterian Church, 601 W. 114th Street, in NYC. General admission tickets are $18 with Students and Seniors $15. Please support the Boricua College Chorus in this this historical performance. Today I received an email from Abe Lind inviting everyone to attend the 40th Anniversary Concert of the Boricua College Chorus at 8:00 PM on Saturday March 20, 2010 at the Broadway Presbyterian Church, 601 W. 114th Street, in NYC.
General admission tickets are $18 with Students and Seniors $15. Please support the Boricua College Chorus in this this historical performance.

]]> Comment on Guest Comment Page, 2009 by ralph sanchez http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24175 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 07:21:43 +0000 http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24175 If anyone knows the whereabouts of Doug Ware one of my former camp counselors (around '68-'69) Please contact me via my email: rsanch8695 at yahoo dot com. Thank you. ralph sanchez If anyone knows the whereabouts of Doug Ware one of my former camp counselors (around ‘68-’69) Please contact me via my email: rsanch8695 at yahoo dot com. Thank you.

ralph sanchez

]]> Comment on Guest Comment Page, 2009 by Ralph Sanchez http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24174 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 04:42:54 +0000 http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24174 Correction....."A Day Of Absence" Correction…..”A Day Of Absence”

]]> Comment on Guest Comment Page, 2009 by Ralph Sanchez http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24173 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 04:41:00 +0000 http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24173 Oh! one more thing! Ducky! I think I remember you. I beleive you were the guy who coordinated alot of our plays and talent shows. I remember doing a skit called "A Day of Remembrance" I still remember the open lines: "Mornin Luke....Mornin Clem"! Give me a shout if u are the one! Ralph Oh! one more thing! Ducky! I think I remember you. I beleive you were the guy who coordinated alot of our plays and talent shows. I remember doing a skit called “A Day of Remembrance” I still remember the open lines: “Mornin Luke….Mornin Clem”!

Give me a shout if u are the one!

Ralph

]]> Comment on Guest Comment Page, 2009 by Ralph Sanchez http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24172 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 04:37:13 +0000 http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24172 I probably should have read the Sharparoon home page a bit further. Because I wasn't aware that the property was sold and the camp no longer exist. to say I'm sadden by this would be an understatement. I'm not aware of the circumstances surrounding the decision. Then again it's not important. What is important that a great piece of societal history is about to become history. I am however, happy that this site and blog exist so that some of us can maintain a connection to our once happy moments at this great place called Sharparoon. I only wish I had the resources to resurrect and maintain this establishment, if not in Dover somewhere like it. I feel that if it benefited not only myself but the numerous campers that passed through our lifetime, it can benefit the youth of today. Camps, like Sharparoon has always contributed to the betterment of a young persons life, especially if he or she has never been out of their immediate enviorment. Camp was one of the reasons I decided (even at that age)to move in a country type of atmosphere. I realize times and progress has to move on, but thee are just some things that cannot be replaced by developments. Well I'll try to keep my chin upand maby there's a miracle somewhere out there that will restore the hopes and dreams of the youth of today Like Sharparoon. God bless you all, and thanks for creating this site.... Ralph Sanchez P.S. Can someone tell me how to post my pic on here? Who knows maby someone might recognize my goofy looks (haha) I probably should have read the Sharparoon home page a bit further. Because I wasn’t aware that the property was sold and the camp no longer exist. to say I’m sadden by this would be an understatement. I’m not aware of the circumstances surrounding the decision. Then again it’s not important. What is important that a great piece of societal history is about to become history. I am however, happy that this site and blog exist so that some of us can maintain a connection to our once happy moments at this great place called Sharparoon. I only wish I had the resources to resurrect and maintain this establishment, if not in Dover somewhere like it. I feel that if it benefited not only myself but the numerous campers that passed through our lifetime, it can benefit the youth of today. Camps, like Sharparoon has always contributed to the betterment of a young persons life, especially if he or she has never been out of their immediate enviorment. Camp was one of the reasons I decided (even at that age)to move in a country type of atmosphere. I realize times and progress has to move on, but thee are just some things that cannot be replaced by developments. Well I’ll try to keep my chin upand maby there’s a miracle somewhere out there that will restore the hopes and dreams of the youth of today Like Sharparoon. God bless you all, and thanks for creating this site….

Ralph Sanchez

P.S. Can someone tell me how to post my pic on here? Who knows maby someone might recognize my goofy looks (haha)

]]> Comment on Guest Comment Page, 2009 by Ralph Sanchez http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24171 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 03:13:50 +0000 http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24171 My name is Ralph Sanchez.I'm originally from Brooklyn NY. And I had some of my greatest youth experiences at camp Shaparoon. I remember being in the Birchamen (I'm not sure of the spelling) group then the Iroquois then finally to teen valley. I believe I started between the years of '67-70. I can't remember all my councelors names but I remember Dickie Peas (How can u forget a name like that?) My 2 favorite were Doug Ware and i believe a guy by the name of Jessie Sanchez I might havethe first name wrong. But nevertheless, Some of the most memorable times were the parties that were given in the huge barnes we had. Man I had to been one of the awkward moments of my youth. But in Teen Valley I met my wife which I'm proud to say we are on our 31st year together. But the highlight of my experience was the famous and almost infamous canoe trip we took in teen valley.In that trip w lost 2 canoes and a Non swimmer in the group became the hero by saving and salvaging what little supplies we had left. I believe his name was Micheal. We canoed in the Husatonic river (In Conn.) and it extended well into NY state. We really learned how to rough it in the wilderness. I'll never forget it. I believe it was either '70 or '71. If anyone on this blog can remember not only this trip but myself and my brother Arthur and my wife Desery Kirkland please contact me at rsanch8695@yahoo.com I'm so glad that not only I found this site but that the camp continues to exist. I would love toa a trip up there just for memory sake. I know alot has changed. In the meantime, please keep this going and please someone get in touch with me as soon as u can. God bless everyone of you and Shaparoon! My name is Ralph Sanchez.I’m originally from Brooklyn NY. And I had some of my greatest youth experiences at camp Shaparoon. I remember being in the Birchamen (I’m not sure of the spelling) group then the Iroquois then finally to teen valley. I believe I started between the years of ‘67-70. I can’t remember all my councelors names but I remember Dickie Peas (How can u forget a name like that?) My 2 favorite were Doug Ware and i believe a guy by the name of Jessie Sanchez I might havethe first name wrong. But nevertheless, Some of the most memorable times were the parties that were given in the huge barnes we had. Man I had to been one of the awkward moments of my youth. But in Teen Valley I met my wife which I’m proud to say we are on our 31st year together. But the highlight of my experience was the famous and almost infamous canoe trip we took in teen valley.In that trip w lost 2 canoes and a Non swimmer in the group became the hero by saving and salvaging what little supplies we had left. I believe his name was Micheal. We canoed in the Husatonic river (In Conn.) and it extended well into NY state. We really learned how to rough it in the wilderness. I’ll never forget it. I believe it was either ‘70 or ‘71. If anyone on this blog can remember not only this trip but myself and my brother Arthur and my wife Desery Kirkland please contact me at rsanch8695@yahoo.com I’m so glad that not only I found this site but that the camp continues to exist. I would love toa a trip up there just for memory sake. I know alot has changed. In the meantime, please keep this going and please someone get in touch with me as soon as u can. God bless everyone of you and Shaparoon!

]]> Comment on Guest Comment Page, 2009 by Victor Gonzalez http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24168 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:06:55 +0000 http://sharparoon.com/blog/?p=32#comment-24168 I will not be able to coordinate this years (2010) get together at the Holmes Presbyterian Conference Center in Holmes, NY. We need someone to volunteer to take over the duties. The duties consist of: 1. Contacting Holmes and reserving the date. 2. Email notifications to interested alumni 3. Coordinating with Figgy the collection of fees. 4. Sending status emails 5. Making Pre-Payment to Holmes 6. Coordinating cleanup This would be the fourth year of the reunions and it would be worthwhile to keep up the tradition. Anyone interested in assuming the duties please contact me or Figgy. I can be reached at victorg at sharparoon dot com. Regards. I will not be able to coordinate this years (2010) get together at the Holmes Presbyterian Conference Center in Holmes, NY. We need someone to volunteer to take over the duties. The duties consist of:
1. Contacting Holmes and reserving the date.
2. Email notifications to interested alumni
3. Coordinating with Figgy the collection of fees.
4. Sending status emails
5. Making Pre-Payment to Holmes
6. Coordinating cleanup

This would be the fourth year of the reunions and it would be worthwhile to keep up the tradition. Anyone interested in assuming the duties please contact me or Figgy. I can be reached at victorg at sharparoon dot com. Regards.

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